Jamie Redknapp: Roy Hodgson must rally at Liverpool

04 October 2010 12:08

YOUNG TALENT

One player unfortunate to be on the losing team at Spurs was Ashley Young. He has a different role under Gerard Houllier, off the striker with licence to do damage. It suits his energy and quality. Out on the wing you need people to get the ball to you and it has been frustrating for Young. In his new position he is always involved. Looks a masterstroke by Houllier.

Ashley Young: Impressive in a new free role under Gerard Houllier

WHITE HART VAN MAN

I went to White Hart Lane to watch the outstanding Rafael van der Vaart (left). He is some player, a schemer with eyes in the back of his head. At times it might be difficult for his manager or team-mates to keep their shape, but because of his quality and goal threat, he's well worth the effort.

THE ART OF MOYES I sat next to David Moyes (left) at the Tottenham v Twente Champions League game, and during our chat he gave me the impression that his team would win at Birmingham. He felt Everton's performances have deserved better. That is the art of management. I believed Moyes on Wednesday, and his players obviously did too, achieving a massive win. A season changer.

MORE THAN A BIT PART Rumours spread quickly in football and you don't want to hear the whispers that Adam Johnson (left) is not behaving exactly as Roberto Mancini would like off the pitch. Johnson's better than a bit-part player - he showed how good he is with a classy, driven winner yesterday. He's got to keep his head down. England need him to be a regular starter in the City team.

ROY MUST RALLY

I'm not hitting the panic button yet. Roy Hodgson (left) needs time. It doesn't help losing your best man after 10 minutes, but it's been a disastrous start to the season for Liverpool. I've been there. Everyone at the club needs to rally round - they've got Everton next. Not to take anything away from Blackpool. They lost 6-0 at Arsenal, 4-0 at Chelsea and now they've won at Anfield.

CITY BY NUMBERS I am a fan of 4-5-1, but as I said last week, Man City struggle to put teams to the sword because they play three defensivelyminded midfielders. Roberto Mancini (left) put a second striker up front with 20 minutes to go and they got the win. With their quality against lesser sides, City could just bring on the extra midfielder when they're ahead.

DEAD-BALL DEAD EYES Two brilliant free kicks this weekend. Chelsea's Alex (left) hit a good old-fashioned thud, with both feet off the floor, and the ball exploded off his boot. It says something about his talent from those positions that Didier Drogba steps aside. Jordi Gomez, for Wigan on Saturday, began his run-up ahead of the ball - which helped him wrap his left foot around it to curl it with pace into the top corner.